Alaska Tribes, U.S. Department of Agriculture Sign Major Conservation Agreement

Article October 5, 2026

Aerial view of a river winding through a valley surrounded by autumn foliage, scattered snow, evergreen stands, and distant rugged peaks beneath a cloudy sky. — The Unalakleet River in western Alaska supports runs of wild salmon, a vital food source for many Tribes.

On Oct. 1, 2026, Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission (BSITC) member Tribes signed a mutual agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to officially designate the Bering Sea Interior Tribal Conservation District (BSITCD). The signing marks a promising opportunity for Indigenous-led conservation and Tribal co-stewardship in Alaska at a time when critical resources, such as salmon, are experiencing drastic declines.

Tribal Conservation Districts are Tribally chartered entities that work in partnership with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage lands and natural resources in keeping with Tribal priorities and Indigenous knowledge.

The agreement establishes a formal partnership between the USDA and 25 Tribes across Alaska’s Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Bering Sea regions that upholds federal trust responsibility—the U.S. government’s legal obligation to protect treaty rights and honor Tribal sovereignty—and integrates Indigenous knowledge into land management. Through this framework, the BSITCD and NRCS will work to sustainably co-manage natural resources for food, community development, and cultural preservation while providing technical, financial, and educational resources to Tribal members. Under Tribal and federal law, the agreement formally validates the BSITCD as an official entity eligible for funding through USDA conservation programs and other federal sources.

The goals of the BSITCD include:

Co-stewardship of federally managed salmon spawning and rearing habitat to safeguard critical watersheds and wildlife corridors from the impacts of climate change and industrial development.
Empowerment of Tribes’ leadership and voice in local conservation needs through USDA frameworks.
Collaboration through NRCS programs combining Indigenous knowledge with federal technical and financial resources to prioritize local conservation, protect vital resources, and restore traditional lands.

The agreement comes after the member Tribes of the BSITC passed resolutions requesting approval by the USDA to create the BSITCD, bringing the number of Tribal Conservation Districts in Alaska to 25.

Two moose stand among autumn vegetation beside a river flanked by yellow and green trees. — The Anvik River is a key spawning and rearing river for wild salmon. Healthy lands and watersheds are vital for Alaska Tribes, wildlife, and sustainable salmon populations.

The BSITC was formed in 2019 to enable Tribes to work in unity to protect traditional ways of life by advocating for public land management that reflects Indigenous priorities and knowledge. The organization formed after regional Tribes advocated extensively for the maintenance of critical protections for nearly 40 million acres of federal land. Pew was an early supporter of the BSITC and is committed to continuing to work with Tribes to maintain their access to federal funds and agency support for habitat restoration, co-management of fish and wildlife populations, and protection of sacred sites.

Steve Marx oversees Indigenous-led conservation initiatives across Alaska’s land and seas for The Pew Charitable Trusts.